Step back in time to 1909. Right here stands Waterlow Court. It embodies Henrietta Barnett’s vision. She wanted homes for all classes in a beautiful setting.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw social and economic shifts. More women had access to education and jobs. They moved to London for opportunities like typing, nursing and civil service roles. Previously, women only left home to marry. Living alone was improper for middle-class women. Religious groups offered some housing. But, these were often unwelcoming hostels.
Henrietta Barnett recognized the need for safe, affordable housing. She spoke with Raymond Unwin and David Waterlow. David Waterlow chaired the Improved Industrial Dwellings Company. Waterlow Court bears the name of Lord Sydney Waterlow. He made his fortune in printing and was a philanthropist. He founded the IIDC and donated Waterlow Park.
MH Baillie Scott designed Waterlow Court. He was known for Arts and Crafts style houses. The design resembles an Oxbridge college. Apartments are accessed from a covered walkway around a central green space. It also featured a communal dining room and library. There were also outdoor spaces for games and gardening.
Waterlow Court is both architecturally significant and historically important. It is an early example of quality housing for working women. English Heritage listed it Grade II*. People widely admire and study it. The high architectural quality comes from its proportions. Also window openings, dormers and the arcaded cloister contribute. It is special because of its association with Waterlow. It was an early sophisticated development for working women.
Waterlow Court had 49 flats. An advertisement described one, two and three-bedroom flats. Each had its own “sanitary accommodation”. This included a “scullery, w.c., and bathroom”. This was at Henrietta Barnett’s insistence.
Staff also lived at Waterlow Court. Initially, they lived in the main building. Later, an eight-room bungalow was added. This housed the Lady Superintendent and the Cashier. Ten female servants also lived there. A male Superintendent, his wife and his brother-in-law lived in a flat at the entrance. The servants cleaned communal areas and individual apartments. Residents paid extra for apartment cleaning. All residents had to take a minimum number of meals in the dining room.
Notice the timber cloister at the entrance. It prolongs the atmosphere of Heath Close. It also emphasizes the privacy of the Court. The courtyard has stark, white plaster walls. The smooth, round-arched cloisters are distinctive. The roofs have a comforting depth.
The bicycle shed shows the architectural style of the building. Women used it in the modern Edwardian spirit. Waterlow Court stands as a testament to a time of change. It offered independence and community for working women.